I like the idea of an English-only MTC near the Rexburg Temple. Keep the
language training in Provo. Back in the 70s, Scandinavian languages were taught
at the Ricks LTM, while Asian languages were taught at the CCH LTM.

You may not be aware that when the MTC was first built
many years ago, the Church made a promise to those living in the neighborhood
adjacent to the MTC that they would not build any buildings higher than four
stories. Therefore, the residents in this neighborhood had every right to
remind the Church of that promise. When this promise was brought to the
attention of the First Presidency, the plans to build the nine-story building
ended.

The obstructed view that the nine-story building would have
created was really beside the point. Property values in this neighborhood have
always been the point and that is precisely why the promise about erecting
buildings no higher than four stories was made in the first place.

Additionally, it is a courteous, "good neighbor" policy of the Church
to take into consideration the impact that building projects might have on any
surrounding properties in spite of zoning regulations or their legal right to
build.

Brave Sir Robin called it "The stated mission of BYU" to "provide an
LDS atmosphere specifically to out-of-state and international LDS students who
may not have had an atmosphere like that where they grew up."

Really? Where has BYU or its sponsoring church EVER stated that as the
mission of BYU?

Serious question, why does this expansion have to be in Provo? We have MTC
campuses all over the world, why can't the church build a second campus in
another part of the state, the region, or the country? I can't imagine
getting real estate in Idaho, Arizona, or even Virginia would be that hard, it
creates another visible church property, and wouldn't be a burden on the
local community. What am I missing? Why does it all have to be at one location?

I think anytime someone wants to build close to my house or obstruct my view, I
should be able to voice my opinion. As an LDS church member, I'm glad
I'd be able to let my church leaders know that I'm not okay with them
building in front of my house. I don't live in Utah, but I applaud those
that stood up for themselves. I never felt right about the prophet Brigham Young
taking that one guy's house in Salt Lake away from him after he put all
that work into it. I'm sure Brigham needed a house, but to just take this
dude's house? It's a good house. Its still standing in SLC next to the
Joseph Smith building. As church members we can choose to say no. God is
pro-choice, its called agency.

President Hinckley's polar star vision, in which you would see this visual
link between the MTC and the temple. which really the 3 fold mission of the
Church.

What a great idea from a person that lives in the area.
Missionaries will have that experience to see the aligning of the three-fold
mission in their stay at the MTC. Those that instruct and are leaders will have
that more indelible in their minds, hearts, and soul. 900 East for missionaries
should be doable as we still have people with the DNA of pioneers who can see
something and as President Kimball said, "do it".

1.
Proclaim the Gospel: MTC

2. Perfect the Saints : church attendance,
temple attendance, church service, prayer, scripture study, family home evening,
and other gospel principles and ordinances.

3. Redeem the Dead:
Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints works very
hard in the myriads of things that the Church does on a daily basis around the
world and especially in Utah.

The Presiding Bishopric have such a
busy schedule in planning, coordinating, partnering, and doing so many tasks in
those areas for meeting houses, temples, and other structures for the furthering
work.

Why not build an MTC at the International Center? It is close to the airport so
the cost of transportation for the missionaries would be greatly reduced. It is
far enough out to discourage missionaries from getting out and into trouble.
There are plenty of LDS returned missionaries in Salt Lake and Davis counties
that could serve there for language training, or they could dedicate that
facility to those who will be serving in English speaking missions.

No temple for them to attend? How about building one within the MTC. It
worked for the Hong Kong and NYC temples to be in multi use buidlings. Plus a
temple out in the NW part of SL county would benefit Toole residents and those
on the west side.

Even if it was reasonable to open more international MTCs, that would not be a
total solution. A-there is a huge number of missionaries called to serve in the
US. b-This includes many foriegn missionaries who come to the MTC in part to
learn English. c-Being adjacent to BYU provides the MTC with a clear supply of
teachers. Having a ready supply of trained teachers is an issue that needs to
be surmounted in building international MTCs. I am really not sure where else
the Church could build additional MTCs. Maybe in Germany, France and Italy, but
it is not clear that such would really alievate much demand on the one in Utah.
They might try to build MTCs elsewhere in the US, but the logistical difficulty
of such would probably be even greater than expanding the existent one.

Having the MTC connected with BYU makes it possible to employ international
students there in a way that would not be possible if they were not connected.
Of course the connection does not demand a physical proximity. However the
Church many years ago determined not to expand academic space at BYU, so there
is really not a need to expand BYU onto the MTC property.

Having the MTC close to a temple is generally considered a good thing. There is
no temple in Tooele so I doubt that would be considered. Also, creating a new
MTC would require a new set of leadership, which expanding the current one would
not. Another consideration is many current MTC teachers get there by bus, so it
needs to be an easily accessible place.

The language issues at
BYU-Idaho are not relevant since teachers draw on their experience as
missionaries, not on college classes in the language. However there are strong
logistical considerations in making new MTCs, and it is probably not worth doing
so within the US.

Well, the church is opening a fourth mission in Ghana this year. International
student enrollment at BYU is kept down by many factors, including the
difficulties the US puts in the way of international students it sees as at risk
to not retrun at the end of their studies. The cost and logistical problems in
returning home also make it a much more difficult experience than for those who
come from even the most distant parts of the US.

I remember when I was in the MTC back in 1998 - I remember it being overcrowded
then. And apparently, they had just completed an expansion then, too! If they
need an expansion then, they certainly need it now with the influx of new
missionaries with the lowered age requirements.

@Brave Sir RobinA couple groups after mine, they implemented a "split" MTC period
where missionaries would spend one month in Provo and one month in Sao Paulo.
From what I heard, even in Sao Paulo, they went out of their way to ensure that
the American missionaries had all their activities - classes, devotionals,
temple sessions - in English. The missionaries were so disappointed that they
didn't feel like it was worth it to be moved in the middle of their MTC
time.